Fence painting apparatus



Nov. 29, 1949 M. M. BENzuLY 2,489,445

FENCE PAINTING APP'ARATUS Filed NOV. 19. 1945 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 29, 1949 M M, BENZULY 2,489,445

l FENCE PAINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1945 2 sheets-sheet' 2 TTO @nl Patented Nov. 29,1949

r`U Nil TE D LS TATIS PATEN T O lfFF flfCE V.aaisfms rAINTmGjAPPAIrAIrUs Morris M Bemulilchieaga n1. ApplicationNovelnber 19, 1945,Seria1 N'o."f 29,484

ing l:liquid coating materials, such afs-paint, en

iences `or similar structures 0and particularly to improved `apparatus for 4spray painting -'fences constructed of Wire mesh or other oiaminate material.

The primary obj ect of the -invention *is =`to 'provide improved lspray apparatus Afor :painting 'fences of the above -general character greatly reduces the timeand illabor frequ'iredfand which avoids Waste of material.

Another object is 'to provide 'improved tence painting apparatus with which a single workman vis enabledto paint Wire mesh fences =or the iike'at arapid rate and Which-embodies-novel means for intercepting and -colle'ct'm-g 'the sprayed Ypaint passing through the fence :to -avoid "-Wasteiif the same.

Another object `is to -provide imprcved spraying apparatus adapted Vfor"movement"long'iltudinally of a "fence Y'or the like land 'including novel'means adapted to be 'temporarilymcunted on the fence for supporting and"l guiding the "'apparatus in such movement.

Still `another object is to provide fienoe paint- 'i' ing apparatus which is `readily adjustable or fences of diiferentheights.

A `further obj ect is to 'provide improved 4"spragif' head mounting 'means `of isimple -andruggedfcn'- struction which Aprovides a 'wide irange iadjustment `for the head.

Other objectsand v advantages of J'the invention will becomeapparentffr'om the' following detailed description of the preferred embodiment 'ifllustrated in vthe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure '1 is a perspective:viewoflfencepainting apparatus embodying the "features of 'the Linvention showing the `apparatus Ymounted `-and ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view -of '1t-he structure for adjustably supporting one of the'sprayf'heaiis.

Fig. 3 is a sectional vieW-foflthe apparatusitaken ina -vertical plane.

'FigA is a sectional view=fo`fthe'apparatus-taken in a horizontal plane.

iFig. 5 is i a perspective view of l:aufcla'mp element for temporarily mounting the trackis'tru'ctuiefon thefence.

While the invention fis susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, "-I have shown in the drawings and Will herein 'describe in detailthe preferred embodiment, 'ibut 'it 'is to be understoodthat AI do not thereby intend to Alimit the invention "to the speciilc "ferm disclosed, but --intend to 'cover all ,modifications and 2:8 Glaima (CL 181-45) :i2 Y. al-ternativeconstructions falling within the .spiri ands'copeucf tl-1e 'invention as v.expres-sed in fthe appended-claims.

:painting :of fences such as those Vused around industrial plantea-nd along railroadprnp.- e'r'ties has fa'Ilv/'ays been .an `expensive and ftim'e eens-timing foperaticn. This fis .particularly ftrue in the case of #fences constriict'edni A4Woven wine or wiremes'h :which present a' comparatively-'small surface 'rorthe 1rerrption of paint -as compared to the overaiiarea pfthefence. T-he use-Ofcomven'tional sprayling apparatus :for painting fencesi-sf'pree'luiied-bythe excessive Waste er matcrial finvolvedandby "the Yprobablity of Ldamagin'gnearb-ystructures. litt has 4therefore beenlthe practice to #paint such fences with ordinary brushes wielded by hand. This of course requires highiy skilled laborlard fis- `a ltime lconsuming and expensive operation. 1

"'Theipresent invention overcomes v:the-aboveZdif ficiiltiesbyf'enrbedying in a single unitarystruc adapted for1 cenvenientlmovement aiong the fence 'to be painted; a 4#plurality of Aspray :heads positioned ifoiirectl a spraybf paint against :the fenceY together -vvi-thf cooperating .meanslior lintercepting l'and Acollecting the `paint vwhich v"passes through fthe fence VVPreferably 'suicient spray headsl'are provided andl'they* are so arranged asflto coverAacontin-uous verticair strip reaching Athe Lfull height of the fence sothat-asubstantial area `Vof thegfence-maybe-coatedin a sin-gie traverse of #the apparatus longitudinally thereof. -Su-pport for the "appartus -is provided 'by a track structure of srm'pie and -sturdycharacter adapted 'to be iaia-- tachedfto the fence-temporarily. The'apparatus is*constructed'andarranged in a novel manner lsn that itmay be 'installed and operated eiciently by La 'single Yworkman Avv/"l'io is thus enabled to paint large areas or Tence Vin a yminimum amount of -tim'e and Without 4Waste* ormaterial Referring to lFig. i of the drawings, the improved Lfence ,painting apparatus "has been shown by =`way of illustration 'as 'applied tothe painting of v'a ifence j9 'consisting of Vawoven Wire vmesh "B supported on upright posts 11. 'The particular fence vshown -is"r`einforced 'by La rigid 'tubular top bar l'and `each post I1 is provided with an up-l Wardly and inwardlyv inclined extension v*i 3 carry-l ing auxiliary guardwires 14.

In carryingfout :the invention, 'Iprovide a car-I a'ge 15 adaptedto be supported above the 4'fence in any convenient manner fior movement vlon'gi tudi'naily 'thereof'. v'Supported "by the 'carriage are a .plurality of spray heads IS positioned todirect aspray of '-paint against :the fence. The

spray heads I6 are preferably arranged in two vertically disposed groups on opposite sides of the fence -so as to spray both sides of the fence simultaneously. Also supported by the carriage are a pair of shields I1 positioned to intercept the sprayed paint passing through the mesh of the fence. Each shield I1 is provided at its lower end with a receptacle I8 for collecting the paint intercepted by the shields.

While the carriage I may be supported in any suitable manner, it is preferred to provide a track structure adapted for convenient temporary attachment to the fence before the painting operation is started and removable therefrom'when the painting is completed. The track structure, as shown, comprises an elongated.

tubular rail 2U supported at spaced points by arcuate cradles 2I carried by vertical rods 22 mounted in suitable brackets attached toA rigid portions of the fence structure. Thus for attachment to the post II, I provide an angular metal bracket 23 having conventional screw clamps 24 for engagement With the post. The bracket 23 is formed with Va vertically disposed socket 24 for the reception of the rod 22 and the latter is locked in place by a clamp screw 25. For attachment to the top bar I2, I provide a bracket 26 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) comprising a rigid, generally U-shaped body 21 presenting a toothed jaw 28 at one end and a fixed abutment at the other end having a threaded aperture for a clamping screw 29 operative to shift a movable jaw member 38 toward and from the stationary jaw. The movable jaw member is provided with a socket 3l for the reception of the rod 22 and a locking screw 32 serves to lock the rod in adjusted position.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the carriage I5in its preferred form comprises a generally rectangular frame 35 in which are journaled a pair of concave rollers 36 adapted to run on the trackmember 20. The shield members I1 are secured to the carriage I5 so as to depend on opposite sides of the fence IU. In the exemplary apparatus, the shield members are constructed of sheet metal and each has a downwardly and outwardly inclined upper portion 31 terminating in a vertically disposed main portion 38 adapted to extend substantially parallel to the fence. The portions 31 of the shield members are dimensioned so as to provide ample clearance for the guard wire extensions I3 and to allow sucient clearance for the proper spraying of the fence IIJ. The main portions V38y of the shield members extend the full height of the fence and are preferably constructed in separable sections secured together as by wing bolts 39 to permit of adjustment for fences of varying heights. An inturned flange 39 extending along one edge of the shield assists in directing the intercepted paint into the receptacle I8. The lowermost section of each shield member I1 is provided with one of the paint collecting receptacles I8 herein shown as generally trough shaped in form. The receptacle may be conveniently formed integrally with the shield section by bending the lower edge inwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 1, such end portions being provided at each side with triangular extensions adapted to constitute the end wallsV of the receptacle. One end wall of the receptacle is provided with an outlet, normally closed by a plug 40, through which collected material'may be removed.

To enable the shields I1 to perform their paint .either of two perpendicularly disposed axes.

of an auxiliary spray head I6 (Fig. 3) for spray- Ying the guard wires I4 when required.

In the exemplary spraying apparatus shown, the spray heads IS and I6 are supported directly Von the shield members I 1 with their nozzles positioned to discharge through the openings 4I and 4 I It will be apparent therefore, that the shield member I1 on one side of the fence is operative to intercept the paint which passes through the fence from the Vdischarge of the spray heads on the opposite sides of the fence. The paint thus intercepted by the shield members drains into the receptacles I8 from which it may be removed for further use.

Novel means is provided for supporting the spray heads I6 for adjustment toward or from the fence, transversely of the fence, or angularly about The supporting means as lshown in Fig. 2 comprises a framework including a pair of U-shaped members 43 and 44 arranged in crossed relation and have their open ends rigidly secured to the shield member as by clamping nuts 45. Y The members may be rigidly joined by a cross member 46 at their crossing point. In the particular structure shown, the member 43 thus4 provides a pair of vertically spaced horizontally disposed parallel guide elements 41 for supporting and guiding a transverse member 48. The latter is provided at each end with a conventional T-tting 49 adapted to slide on the element 41 whereby the member may be shifted toward or from the shield I1. A clamping screw 49 threaded into the member 49 l serves to lock the same in adjusted position.

The transverse member 48 carries a spray head supporting member comprising, in this instance, a horizontal bar 50 having a T-itting 50 slidable longitudinally of the tranverse member and also rotatable about the -latter member as an axis. A set screw 5I is provided for locking the fitting in set position. The bar portion 5t of the supportingv member is arranged to seat in the usual recess provided in the spray head I3 and is adapted-to be clamped thereto by a set screw 52.

With the above arrangement, the spray head may be shifted toward or from the fence by movement of the T-iittings 49 along the guides 41. Likewise, the spray head may be movedv transversely of the fence by sliding the T-litting 50 along the member 48. Pivotal movement about the axes of the members 48 and [i9 permits a Wide range of angular adjustment of the head which, in combination with the linear adjustments above referred to, enables the heads to be set for applying a uniform coating Vof paint over a selected area of the fence.

The particular head I6 shown by way of illustration is of the so-called internal atomization type in which the liquid material or paint is intermingled with air within the spray head and discharged as an atomized spray of generally conical form. The paint and air may be supplied from a conventional paint reservoir and compressor (not shown) through iexible tubes 6E) and 6I (Fig,

'pipe sa with spray'neaas.

For convenience of operation, la common main ide'vice is provided, 'for controlling 'the operftn fof 'all of the spray heads I6. For this pura pair o'f valves incorporated in a unitary "byia hand lever 69 are interposed in the conduits il 6I b'etween the reservoir 'and compressor the spraying apparatus. Individual shut-'off valves 'III may also `be interposed in the branch 6 'and 61 so that 'one or more of the IS may be rendered tinoperative -when de- The hand .piece i8 maybe mounted direc'tty'p'n l.one of the shields I1 as by brackets 1I {o'r 'eohven'ience in pushing the apparatus along the afence.

' up the apparatus for operation, the 23 or 2B with the supporting rods 22 to the fence -at suitably spaced points @tithe-rail member -2 is i'nounted thereon. 'I'he mil .member may be leveled up with respect to lre fence by 'appropriate adustment of the rods 42! relative to the supporting brackets. The earme vI5 'With'.one shield l1 attached is then set on rail I0. To hold the apparatus in place while the other 'shield is attached, hook members -12 are provided at opposite ends of the carriage 'for coactim' 'with the rali 20, The hook members are plvotally mounted at the ends of the carriage so that they can b' "svimg nier the rail when required and locked in place by lwing nuts 13. Upon 'mple'tidn 'o'f the assembly the respective spray head groups and shields I1 'depend on opposite sides of thefe'n.

Shield sections may be added or removed as -reqired to adjust the apparatus -for the height 6i fthe particular fence to be painted. After adjlis't'rnnts and -any adjustments of the ndividal'spray heads necessary to insure eiecxtitl'aly coating of a continuous vertical strip of thfe fence, the apparatus is connected with the reservoir and compressor. {Painting of the fence may nov proceed by merely opening the .iaint and'a'ir valves of 'the control device 68 and iiultaneously pushing the apparatus along the At'ra'ck. A's the spray lheads are held in fixed relation to the fence by the shields I1, uniform coating of the fence is insured by merely advancing the apparatus at a uniform rate. Upon completion of one section of the fence, the apparatus may be quickly and easily transferred to the adjacent section by simply moving the track structure along to the new section.

Loss of material is reduced to a minimum and adjoining structures are adequately protected by the shields I1 which intercept the paint that passes through the fence. The intercepted paint is collected in the receptacles I8 which may be equipped with suitable strainers for removing foreign particles to condition the paint for reuse.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides paint spraying apparatus of novel and improved construction which greatly reduces the time and labor required for paintlng fences and which eliminates waste of material. The apparatus is of simple and rugged '6 construction 'and suiciently iight Weight so that it may be readily assembled and operated by "a single Workman. Adjustments may be readily made to adapt the apparatus for use on fences of different heights.

I claim as my invention:

l. In apparatus for painting wire fences, in combination, an elongated rail member adapted to be temporarily supported above `and parallel to 'a fence to be painted, a carriage having rollers adapted to travel on said rail member, a first group of spray heads supported by said carriage at one side of the fence, a second group of spray heads supported by said :carriage at the other side of the fence, said two groups of spray heads being alined vertically and positioned to spray opposite sides of the fence over an area extending the full height of the fence, means for delivering a supply of paint and compressed air to said spray heads, fand a pair of shields supported by said carriage between the respective groups of spray heads and the fence and on opposite sides of the fence for intercepting the sprayed paint passing therethrough, said shields having openings for the passage of the paint discharged by the spray heads adjacent thereto.

2. Apparatus for painting Wire fences :or fthe like comprising, in combination1 an elongated guide rail, brackets adapted to be temporarily anchored to rigid portions of a fence to be .painted and operative to support said rail above and substantially parallel to the fence, a carriage having rollers adapted to run on said rail. shield members of sheet :material depending from said carriage so as to straddle the fence, each of said members having a vertically disposed main portion of a length corresponding substantially to the height of the fence to be painted and a `downwardly and outwardly inclined upper portion effective to hold said main portion in predetermined spaced relation to the fence, a plurality of spray heads mounted on said members and positioned to direct a spray of paint Vin- Wardly toward the fence whereby to apply a substantially uniform coating of paint thereto 'as said carriage is moved along said rail.

3. In apparatus for painting wire fences, in

combination, a shield member adapted to be supported at one side of a fence to be painted and in spaced relation thereto, a spray head, means for delivering a supply of paint and compressed air to said spray head, means supporting said head at one side of said `shield for linear adjustment toward or from and transversely `of the fence and for angular adjustment about two perpendicular axes, said supporting means including a pair of spaced guide members disposed perpendicular to said shield, a transverse member supported on said guide members for movement toward and from the fence, and a head carrying member mounted on said transverse member for movement transversely of the fence and for pivotal movement about the transverse member as an axis, said spray head being mounted on said supporting member for pivotal movement about the member as an axis.

4. Supporting means for a spray head comprising, in combination, a pair of guide members rigidly supported in spaced parallel relation, a transverse member supported by and guided for movement longitudinally of said guide members, and a head supporting member mounted on said transverse member for movement longitudinally thereof Iand for pivotal movement about; the transverse member as an axis, said supporting 'member having means for supporting the head for pivotal movement about an axis substantially perpendicular to said transverse member.

5. In apparatus for painting wire fences, the combination with a carriage adapted to travel on a track disposed above and running longitudinally of the fence, shield members mounted on said carriage and depending therefrom on opposite sides of the fence, a plurality of spray heads supported on each of said shield members positioned to direct a spray of paint inwardly toward the fence, paint and air supply ducts having branches extending to each of said spray heads, and a control unit including a pair of manually operable valves for controlling the delivery of paint and air to said ducts, said unit being rigidly mounted on one of said shields to facilitate the pushing of the apparatus along the fence and simultaneously controlling the operation of said spray heads whereby to insure application of a substantially uniform coating of paint to the fence.

6. Apparatus for painting wire fences or the like comprising, in combination, an elongated guide'rail, brackets adapted to be temporarily anchored tov rigid portions of a fence to be painted and operative to support said rail above and substantially parallel to the fence, a carriage adapted to travel on said rail. shield mem- `bers of sheet material supported in depending relation from said carriage on opposite sides of the fence each having a series of vertically .spaced openings, groups of spray heads supported adjacent the outer faces of the respective shield members in position to direct sprays of paint 'inwardly through the openings in the respective shield members toward the fence to apply thereto a substantially uniform coating of paint as the carriage is moved Y'along said rail, each of said shield members being voperative to intercept the paint discharged lby the spray heads adiacent the companion shield and passing through the fence.

7. Apparatus for painting Wire fences or the like comprising, in combination, an elongated guide rail, brackets adapted to-be temporarily anchored to rigid portions of a fence to be Vpainted and operative to support said rail above and substantially parallel to the fence, a carriage adapted to travel on said rail, shield members of sheet material supported in depending relation from said carriage on opposite sides of the fence each having a series of vertically spaced openings, groups of spray heads supported adjacent the outer faces of the respective 'shield members in position to direct sprays of paint inwardly through the openings in the respective shield members and toward thefence, the openings in one of said shield members being oiset laterally with respect to the openings in the other shield member to enable the members to inter?- cept substantially all of the .paint passing through the fence, and receptacles supported ad.- jacent the lower ends of the shield membersfor collecting the intercepted paint.

8. Apparatus for painting wire fences or the like comprising, in combination, an elongated guide rail, brackets adapted to be temporarily anchored to rigid portions of a fence tn .be painted and operative to support said'rail above and substantially parallel to the fence, a carriage adapted to travel on said rail, shield members of sheet material supported in .depending relation from said carriage on opposite sides ofthe fence each having a series of vertically spaced openings, groups of spray heads supported adjacent the outer faces of the respective shield mem,- bers in position to direct sprays of vpaint in.- Wardly through the openings in the respective shield members 'and toward the fence,'vertically 'extending conduits connecting the spray heads of each group, air and paint supply conduits connecting with said vertical conduits intermediate their ends, each of said shield membersco'mprising an upper section rigidly secured to said carriage and a. lower section detachable .frm said upper section, and couplings in said vertical conduits permitting removal of the lowermost spray unit of each group when the lower sec'- tion of the associated shield is detached.

MORRIS M. BENZULY. 1'

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: A

UNITED STATES PIEIN''S-V 

